REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The next major system update for Nintendo’s Wii
U home console after launch is now available for download. The
update delivers a host of new services and enhanced features, such as
improved stability and performance, as well as faster load times when
switching between applications. The update also lays the groundwork for
the imminent launch of the Wii U Virtual Console service. Wii U owners
also will soon see the launch of Wii U Panorama View.

“Wii U continues to grow and evolve with new features that make it a
better experience for everyone,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of
America’s president and COO. “Now owners can navigate to their favorite
games and services even faster, or play some of their favorite classic
games.”

Here’s what the system update delivers:

The time required to start the Wii U console, launch built-in
applications, exit software and return to the main menu, jump between
applications, and jump between software and Miiverse has been reduced.

While the Wii U logo is being displayed during the system startup,
users can directly transition to the Wii Menu by holding down the B
Button on the Wii U GamePad.

Users can install games and applications from the Nintendo eShop in
the background while other software is being used.

When powering off during a download, Wii U will go into a standby
mode, then power off when all downloads and installations are complete.

Users can transfer and copy data between two USB storage devices in
Data Management. This allows users the opportunity to upgrade or
replace a current USB storage device that is connected to the Wii U
Console.

Users can control the priority of their downloads when downloading
multiple items at once.

Improved account selection when powering on the system now displays
Nintendo Network IDs to clearly distinguish accounts.

TV screen size output can now be adjusted in the System Settings.

An Undo/Redo button was added to the Miiverse drawing input screen.

As previously announced, additional features are scheduled to be rolled
out a short time after the update goes live. Wii U owners can soon
expect to find:

Virtual Console

A library of quality classic games is planned for the Virtual Console on
Wii U, with favorites such as Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong, Donkey
Kong Jr., Excitebike, F-Zero, Ice Climber, Kirby’s
Adventure, Kirby Super Star, Mario Bros., Punch-Out!!
Featuring Mr. Dream, Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario World,
Super Metroid and Yoshi on the way soon. Game Boy Advance
and Nintendo 64 games are scheduled to be added in the future.

Each game in the Wii U Virtual Console library has been developed to
include off-TV play on the Wii U GamePad controller, customizable
controls, Miiverse community support and the ability to instantly save
game progress. NES games will cost $4.99 to $5.99, while Super NES games
will cost $7.99 to $8.99. People who have already downloaded these games
to their Wii System can transfer them to their Wii U consoles and play
them in Wii Mode at no charge. To upgrade and take advantage of the
improved Wii U features, they can purchase them at the special discount
price of just $1 for NES games and $1.50 for Super NES games.

Wii U Panorama View

Wii U Panorama View opens a window to the sights and sounds of
some of the world’s most exotic destinations. Wii U owners use the
GamePad controller to look in every direction to control an immersive
360-degree video guided tour as these destinations come to life from the
comfort of your living room. Imagine catching all the sights during a
tour of London on a double-decker bus or exploring the streets of Rio de
Janeiro during Carnival. Wii U Panorama View will be available as
a free downloadable demo from the Nintendo eShop and includes a sample
of different experiences the application has to offer. The full versions
of each individual video tour can be purchased for $2 each.

Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage
the content their children can access. For more information about this
and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of
interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan,
manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™
and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and
Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when
it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has
sold more than 4 billion video games and more than 651 million hardware
units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and
Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance,
Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™,
Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™
and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become
well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™,
Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly
owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash.,
serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western
Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the
company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

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